Device filtering in ambient internet-of-things devices

Abstract

There are provided apparatuses, methods, and systems for improving network access via contention-free random access (CFRA) of one or more devices across a plurality of reading sessions. In some embodiments, there are provided filtering criteria for respective reading sessions. In some embodiments, device identifiers (IDs) may be explicitly listed. In some embodiments, device IDs may not be explicitly listed. Various embodiments provide improvements for use of ambient internet-of-things (AIoT) devices.

Description

DEVICE FILTERING IN AMBIENT INTERNET-OF-THINGS DEVICESTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Various example embodiments relate generally to device filtering in ambient internet- of-things (AIoT) devices, for example, for command use cases.BACKGROUND

[0002] Terminal devices based on energy harvesting may operate in either active or passive modes. Such terminal devices may use energy harvested from wireless radio waves and / or other sources of energy. A terminal device may connect to a network responsive to a trigger message transmitted by a reader device. The terminal device may connect to a network using contention- free access (CFA) and / or contention-based random access (CBRA). In some examples, based on the terminal device being triggered for random access by a reader device, session identifiers (IDs) may be used to determine whether the terminal device has already accessed the network in a current session. However, there is a need for improvements, as use of session IDs for such a purpose may not yield desired results, for example, if the network attempts to control terminal device access across sessions.BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0003] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a first apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to: (i) receive, from a reader device and during a first session, a session identifier (ID) associated with the first session; (ii) store the session ID as a previous session ID; (iii) receive, from the reader device, a command message associated with a second session, wherein the command message comprises one or more filter session IDs; and (iv) determine, based on the previous session ID and the one or more filter session IDs, whether to attempt network access to respond to the command message associated with the second session. In some embodiments, the first apparatus is or is comprised in at least one of the following: a user equipment; or a network device. In some embodiments, the determining comprises: determining, based on at least one of the one or more filter session IDs being different from the stored previous session ID, to attempt network accessto respond to the command message. In some embodiments, the determining comprises: determining, based on at least one of the one or more filter session IDs being the same as the stored previous session ID, to attempt network access responsive to the command message; or determining, based on at least one of the one or more filter session IDs being the same as the stored previous session ID, not to attempt network access responsive to the command message. In some embodiments, the determining is based on a filter flag. In some embodiments, the filter flag is comprised in the received command message for determining whether to attempt network access responsive to the command message. In some embodiments, the filter flag is one of the following: 0 or 1. In some embodiments, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the first apparatus to: receive, from the reader device, information indicating that the first session has been terminated.

[0004] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method, comprising: (i) receiving, from a reader device and during a first session, a session identifier (ID) associated with the first session; (ii) storing the session ID as a previous session ID; (iii) receiving, from the reader device, a command message associated with a second session, wherein the command message comprises one or more filter session IDs; and (iv) determining, based on the previous session ID and the one or more filter session IDs, whether to attempt network access to respond to the command message associated with the second session. In some embodiments, the reader device is comprised in at least one of the following: a user equipment; or a network device. In some embodiments, the determining further comprises: determining, based on at least one of the one or more filter session IDs being different from the stored previous session ID, to attempt network access to respond to the command message. In some embodiments, the determining further comprises at least one of: determining, based on at least one of the one or more filter session IDs being the same as the stored previous session ID, to attempt network access responsive to the command message; or determining, based on at least one of the one or more filter session IDs being the same as the stored previous session ID, not to attempt network access responsive to the command message. In some embodiments, the determining is based on a filter flag. In some embodiments, the filter flag is comprised in the received command message for determining whether to attempt network access responsive to the command message. In some embodiments, the filter flag is one of the following: 0 or 1. In some embodiments, the methodfurther comprises receiving, from the reader device, information indicating that the first session has been terminated.

[0005] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to: (i) receive, from a reader device and during a first session, a session identifier (ID) associated with the first session; (ii) store the session ID as a previous session ID; (iii) receive, from the reader device, a command message associated with a second session, wherein the command message comprises one or more filter session IDs; and (iv) determine, based on the previous session ID and the one or more filter session IDs, whether to attempt network access to respond to the command message associated with the second session. In some embodiments, the apparatus is or is comprised in at least one of the following: a user equipment; or a network device. In some embodiments, the determining comprises: determining, based on at least one of the one or more filter session IDs being different from the stored previous session ID, to attempt network access to respond to the command message. In some embodiments, the determining comprises: determining, based on at least one of the one or more filter session IDs being the same as the stored previous session ID, to attempt network access responsive to the command message; or determining, based on at least one of the one or more filter session IDs being the same as the stored previous session ID, not to attempt network access responsive to the command message. In some embodiments the determining is based on a filter flag. In some embodiments, filter flag is comprised in the received command message for determining whether to attempt network access responsive to the command message. In some embodiments, the filter flag is one of the following: 0 or 1. In some embodiments, the program instructions which, when executed by the apparatus, further cause the apparatus to receive, from the reader device, information indicating that the first session has been terminated.

[0006] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising: (i) means for receiving, from a reader device and during a first session, a session identifier (ID) associated with the first session; (ii) storing the session ID as a previous session ID; (iii) means for receiving, from the reader device, a command message associated with a second session, wherein the command message comprises one or more filter session IDs; and (iv) means for determining, based on the previous session ID and the one or more filter session IDs, whether to attempt network access to respond to the command message associated with the second session.In some embodiments, the apparatus is or is comprised in at least one of the following: a user equipment; or a network device. In some embodiments, the means for determining further comprise means for determining, based on at least one of the one or more filter session IDs being different from the stored previous session ID, to attempt network access to respond to the command message. In some embodiments, the means for determining further comprises at least one of: means for determining, based on at least one of the one or more filter session IDs being the same as the stored previous session ID, to attempt network access responsive to the command message; or means for determining, based on the at least one of the one or more filter session IDs being the same as the stored previous session ID, not to attempt network access responsive to the command message. In some embodiments, the determining is based on a filter flag. In some embodiments, the filter flag is comprised in the received command message for determining whether to attempt network access responsive to the command message. In some embodiments, the filter flag is one of the following: 0 or 1. In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for receiving, from the reader device, information indicating that the first session has been terminated.

[0007] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a second apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus at least to: (i) cause transmission, to one or more ambient internet-of-things (AIoT) devices during a first session such that a session identifier (ID) is associated with the first session; (ii) cause transmission, to the one or more AIoT devices, of a command message associated with a second session, wherein the command message comprises one or more filter session IDs that enable the one or more AIoT devices to determine whether to attempt network access to respond to the command message; and (iii) receive, from at least one of the one or more AIoT devices, a response comprising one or more device IDs. In some embodiments, the second apparatus is or is comprised in at least one of the following: a user equipment; or a network device. In some embodiments, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the second apparatus to initiate, based on determining that a quantity of AIoT devices below a first predetermined threshold have responded to the second apparatus, a random access procedure. In some embodiments, the random access procedure is configured to allow new or existing AIoT devices to be associated with the session ID. In some embodiments, the instructions, whenexecuted by the at least one processor, further cause the second apparatus to: cause transmission, to the one or more AIoT devices, of information indicating a filter flag. In some embodiments, the filter flag is one of the following: 0 or 1. In some embodiments, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the second apparatus to: terminate, based on determining that a quantity of AIoT devices at or above a second predetermined threshold have accessed the network, the first session; and cause transmission, to the one or more AIoT devices, of information indicating that the first session has been terminated.

[0008] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method, comprising: (i) causing transmission, to one or more ambient internet-of-things (AIoT) devices during a first session such that a session identifier (ID) is associated with the first session; (ii) causing transmission, to the one or more AIoT devices, of a command message associated with a second session, wherein the command message comprises one or more filter session IDs that enables the one or more AIoT devices to determine whether to attempt network access to respond to the command message; and (iii) receiving, from at least one of the one or more AIoT devices, a response comprising one or more device IDs. In some embodiments, performing the method is a reader device or is a reader device comprised in at least one of the following: a user equipment; or a network device. In some embodiments, the method further comprises initiating, based on determining that a quantity of AIoT devices below a first predetermined threshold have responded to the second apparatus, a random access procedure. In some embodiments, the random access procedure is configured to allow new or existing AIoT devices to be associated with the session ID. In some embodiments, the method further comprises causing transmission, to the one or more AIoT devices, of information indicating a filter flag. In some embodiments, the filter flag is one of the following: 0 or 1. In some embodiments, the method further comprises terminating, based on determining that a quantity of AIoT devices at or above a second predetermined threshold have accessed the network, the first session; and causing transmission, to the one or more AIoT devices, of information indicating that the first session has been terminated.

[0009] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to: (i) cause transmission, to one or more ambient internet-of-things (AIoT) devices during a first session such that a session identifier (ID) is associated with the first session; (ii)cause transmission, to the one or more AIoT devices, of a command message associated with a second session, wherein the command message comprises one or more filter session IDs that enables the one or more AIoT devices to determine whether to attempt network access to respond to the command message; and (iii) receive, from at least one of the one or more AIoT devices, a response comprising one or more device IDs. In some embodiments, the apparatus is or is comprised in at least one of the following: a user equipment; or a network device. In some embodiments, the program instructions which, when the program is executed by the apparatus, further cause the apparatus to initiate, based on determining that a quantity of AIoT devices below a first predetermined threshold have responded to the second apparatus, a random access procedure. In some embodiments, the random access procedure is configured to allow new or existing AIoT devices to be associated with the session ID. In some embodiments, the program instructions which, when the program is executed by the apparatus, further cause the apparatus to cause transmission, to the one or more AIoT devices of information indicating a filter flag. In some embodiments, the filter flag is one of the following: 0 or 1. In some embodiments, the program instructions which, when the program is executed by the apparatus, further cause the apparatus to: terminate, based on determining that a quantity of AIoT devices at or above a second predetermined threshold have accessed the network, the first session; and cause transmission, to the one or more AIoT devices, information indicating that the first session has been terminated.

[0010] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising: (i) means for causing transmission, to one or more ambient internet-of-things (AIoT) devices during a first session such that a session identifier (ID) is associated with the first session; (ii) means for causing transmission, to the one or more AIoT devices, of a command message associated with a second session, wherein the command message comprises one or more filter session IDs that enables the one or more AIoT devices to determine whether to attempt network access to respond to the command message; and (iii) means for receiving, from at least one of the one or more AIoT devices, a response comprising one or more device IDs. In some embodiments, the apparatus is or is comprised in at least one of the following: a user equipment; or a network device. In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for initiating, based on determining that a quantity of AIoT devices below a first predetermined threshold have responded to the second apparatus, a random access procedure. In some embodiments, therandom access procedure is configured to allow new or existing AIoT devices to be associated with the session ID. In some embodiments, the filter flag is one of the following: 0 or 1. In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises: means for terminating, based on determining that a quantity of AIoT devices at or above a second predetermined threshold have accessed the network, the first session; and means for causing transmission, to the one or more AIoT devices, information indicating that the first session has been terminated.

[0011] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a first apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to: (i) start a timer; (ii) receive, from a reader device, a trigger message including a time since queried parameter configured to indicate a threshold for a time duration since the first apparatus previously performed network access; and (iii) based on a value of the time since queried parameter being greater than or equal to the timer: perform network access responsive to the trigger message; and restart the timer. In some embodiments, the time since queried parameter is set to a value of 0 for an initial session. In some embodiments, the timer is started with a value set randomly for initialization. I some embodiments, the restarting the timer comprises restarting the timer according to a value of a session time parameter comprised in the trigger message. In some embodiments, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the first apparatus to maintain, based on not performing network access responsive to the trigger message based on a value of the time since queried parameter being smaller than the timer, operation of the timer. In some embodiments, the time since queried parameter is static or dynamic. In some embodiments, the time since queried parameter is related to at least one of: a session identifier (ID); a paging ID; or a reader ID. In some embodiments, the first apparatus is or is comprised in at least one of the following: a user equipment; or a network device.

[0012] According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a method, comprising: (i) starting a timer; (ii) receiving, from a reader device, a trigger message including a time since queried parameter configured to indicate a threshold for a time duration since the first apparatus previously performed network access; and (iii) based on a value of the time since queried parameter being greater than or equal to the timer: performing network access responsive to the trigger message; and restarting the timer. In some embodiments, the time since queried parameter is set to a value of 0 for an initial session. In some embodiments, the method furthercomprises starting the timer with a value set randomly for initialization. In some embodiments, the restarting the timer further comprises restarting the timer according to a value of a session time parameter comprised in the trigger message. In some embodiments, the method further comprises maintaining, based on not performing network access responsive to the trigger message based on a value of the time since queried parameter being smaller than the timer, operation of the timer. In some embodiments, the time since queried parameter is static or dynamic. In some embodiments, the time since queried parameter is related to at least one of: a session identifier (ID); a paging ID; or a reader ID. In some embodiments, the reader device is or is comprised in at least one of the following: a user equipment; or a network device.

[0013] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to: (i) start a timer; (ii) receive, from a reader device, a trigger message including a time since queried parameter configured to indicate a threshold for a time duration since the first apparatus previously performed network access; and (iii) based on a value of the time since queried parameter being greater than or equal to the timer: perform network access responsive to the trigger message; and restart the timer. In some embodiments, the time since queried parameter is set to a value of 0 for an initial session. In some embodiments, the timer is started with a value set randomly for initialization. In some embodiments, the restarting the timer comprises: restarting the timer according to a value of a session time parameter comprised in the trigger message. In some embodiments, the non-transitory computer readable medium comprises program instructions that, when executed by the apparatus, further cause the apparatus to maintain, based on not performing network access responsive to the trigger message based on a value of the time since queried parameter being smaller than the timer, operation of the timer. In some embodiments, the time since queried parameter is static or dynamic. In some embodiments, the time since queried parameter is related to at least one of: a session identifier (ID); a paging ID; or a reader ID. In some embodiments, the apparatus is or is comprised in at least one of the following: a user equipment; or a network device.

[0014] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising: (i) means for starting a timer; (ii) means for receiving, from a reader device, a trigger message including a time since queried parameter configured to indicate a threshold for a time duration since the first apparatus previously performed network access; and based on a value of the timesince queried parameter being greater than or equal to the timer: (iii) means for performing network access responsive to the trigger message; and (iv) means for restarting the timer. In some embodiments, the time since queried parameter is set to a value of 0 for an initial session. In some embodiments, the means for starting the timer comprises means for starting the timer with a value set randomly for initialization. In some embodiments, the means for restarting the timer comprises means for restarting the timer according to a value of a session time parameter comprised in the trigger message. In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for maintaining, based on not performing network access responsive to the trigger message based on a value of the time since queried parameter being smaller than the timer, operation of the timer. In some embodiments, the time since queried parameter is static or dynamic. In some embodiments, the time since queried parameter is related to at least one of: a session identifier (ID); a paging ID; or a reader ID. In some embodiments, the apparatus is or is comprised in at least one of the following: a user equipment; or a network device.

[0015] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a second apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus at least to: (i) cause transmission, to one or more ambient internet-of-things (AIoT) devices, of a trigger message including a time since queried parameter configured to indicate a threshold for a time duration since at least one of the one or more AIoT devices previously performed network access; and (ii) determine that at least one of the one or more AIoT devices has performed, based on a value of the time since queried parameter being greater than or equal to a timer of the at least one of the one or more AIoT devices, network access responsive to the trigger message. In some embodiments, the time since queried parameter is set to a value of 0 for an initial session. In some embodiments, the trigger message comprises a session time parameter for the one or more AIoT devices to restart the timer. In some embodiments, the time since queried parameter is static or dynamic. In some embodiments, the time since queried parameter is related to at least one of: a session identifier (ID); a paging ID; or a reader ID. In some embodiments, the apparatus is or is comprised in at least one of the following: a user equipment; or a network device.

[0016] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method, comprising: (i) causing transmission, to one or more ambient internet-of-things (AIoT) devices, of a triggermessage including a time since queried parameter configured to indicate a threshold for a time duration since at least one of the one or more AIoT devices previously performed network access; and (ii) determining that at least one of the one or more AIoT devices has performed, based on a value of the time since queried parameter being greater than or equal to a timer of the at least one of the one or more AIoT devices, network access responsive to the trigger message. In some embodiments, the time since queried parameter is set to a value of 0 for an initial session. In some embodiments, the trigger message comprises a session time parameter for the one or more AIoT devices to restart the timer. In some embodiments, the time since queried parameter is static or dynamic. In some embodiments, the time since queried parameter is related to at least one of: a session identifier (ID); a paging ID; or a reader ID. In some embodiments, an apparatus implementing the method is or is comprised in at least one of the following: a user equipment; or a network device.

[0017] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to: (i) cause transmission, to one or more ambient internet-of-things (AIoT), of a trigger message including a time since queried parameter configured to indicate a threshold for a time duration since at least one of the one or more AIoT devices previously performed network access; and (ii) determine that at least one of the one or more AIoT devices has performed, based on a value of the time since queried parameter being greater than or equal to a timer of the at least one of the one or more AIoT devices, network access responsive to the trigger message. In some embodiments, the time since queried parameter is set to a value of 0 for an initial session. In some embodiments, the trigger message comprises a session time parameter for the one or more AIoT devices to restart the timer. In some embodiments, the time since queried parameter is static or dynamic. In some embodiments, the time since queried parameter is related to at least on of: a session identifier (ID); a paging ID; or a reader ID. In some embodiments, the apparatus is or is comprised in at least one of the following: a user equipment; or a reader ID.

[0018] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising: (i) means for causing transmission, to one or more ambient internet-of-things (AIoT) devices, of a trigger message including a time since queried parameter configured to indicate a threshold for a time duration since at least one of the one or more AIoT devices previously performed network access; and (ii) means for determining that at least one of the one or more AIoT devices hasperformed, based on a value of the time since queried parameter being greater than or equal to a timer of the at least one of the one or more AIoT devices, network access responsive to the trigger message. In some embodiments, the time since queried parameter is set to a value of 0 for an initial session. In some embodiments, the trigger message comprises a session time parameter for the one or more AIoT devices to restart the timer. In some embodiments, the time since queried parameter is static or dynamic. In some embodiments, the time since queried parameter is related to at least one of: a session identifier (ID); a paging ID; or a reader ID. In some embodiments, the apparatus is or is comprised in at least one of the following: a user equipment; or a network device.

[0019] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a first apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to: (i) receive, from a reader device, a first request message instructing the first apparatus to read a parameter; (ii) send a first response message including a first value of the parameter to the reader device; (iii) store the first value of the parameter; (iv) receive, from the reader device, a second request message instructing the first apparatus to read the parameter; (v) determine whether to send a second response to the second request message based on a difference between the first value of the parameter and a second value of the parameter; and (vi) send the second response to the second request message based on the determining. In some embodiments, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to store the second value of the parameter. In some embodiments, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform at least one of: measuring the parameter to obtain the first value of the parameter; or measuring the parameter to obtain the second value of the parameter. In some embodiments, the first value of the parameter and the second value of the parameter differ by a percentage value or a delta value. In some embodiments, the percentage value or the delta value is received in the second request message. In some embodiments, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to receive, in the first request message, a third value of the parameter, wherein the sending the first response message to the first request to the reader device is based on the third value and the first value differing by a percentage value or a delta value. In some embodiments, the percentage value or the delta value is received in the first request message. In some embodiments, the apparatus is anambient internet-of-things (AIoT) device. In some embodiments, the reader device is or is comprised in at least one of: a user equipment; or a radio access node. In some embodiments, the first request comprises a read command message sent over an AIoT air interface.

[0020] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method, comprising: (i) receiving, from a reader device, a first request message instructing the first apparatus to read a parameter; (ii) sending a first response message including a first value of the parameter to the reader device; (iii) storing the first value of the parameter; (iv) receiving, from the reader device, a second request message instructing the first apparatus to read the parameter; (v) determining whether to send a second response to the second request message based on a difference between the first value of the parameter and a second value of the parameter; and (vi) sending the second response to the second request message based on the determining. In some embodiments, the method further comprises storing the second value of the parameter. In some embodiments, the method further comprises at least one of: measuring the parameter to obtain the first value of the parameter; or measuring the parameter to obtain the second value of the parameter. In some embodiments, the first value of the parameter and the second value of the parameter differ by a percentage value or a delta value. In some embodiments, the method further comprises receiving the percentage value or the delta value in the second request message. In some embodiments, the method further comprises receiving, in the first request message, a third value of the parameter, wherein the sending the first response message to the first request to the reader device is based on the third value and first value differing by a percentage value or a delta value. In some embodiments, the method further comprises receiving the percentage value or the delta value in the first request message. In some embodiments, an apparatus implementing the method is an ambient internet-of-things (AIoT) device. In some embodiments, wherein the reader device is or is comprised in at least one of: a user equipment; or a radio access node. In some embodiments, the first request comprises a read command message sent over an AIoT interface.

[0021] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to: (i) receive, from a reader device, a first request message instructing the first apparatus to read a parameter; (ii) send a first response message including a first value of the parameter to the reader device; (iii) store the first value of the parameter; (iv) receive, from the reader device, a second request message instructing the first apparatus to read the parameter; (v)determine whether to send a second response to the second request message based on a difference between the first value of the parameter and a second value of the parameter; and (vi) send the second response to the second request message based on the determining. In some embodiments, the program instructions, when executed by the apparatus, further cause the apparatus to store the second value of the parameter. In some embodiments, the program instructions, when executed by the apparatus, further cause the apparatus to perform at least one of: measuring the parameter to obtain the first value of the parameter; or measuring the parameter to obtain the second value of the parameter. In some embodiments, the first value of the parameter and the second value of the parameter differ by a percentage value or a delta value. In some embodiments, the percentage value or the delta value is received in the second request message. In some embodiments, the program instructions, when executed by the apparatus, further cause the apparatus to receive, in the first request message, a third value of the parameter, wherein the sending the first response message to the first request to the reader device is based on the third value and first value differing by a percentage value or a delta value. In some embodiments, the percentage value or the delta value is received in the first request message. In some embodiments, the apparatus is an ambient internet-of-things (AIoT) device. In some embodiments, the reader device is or is comprised in at least one of: a user equipment; or a radio access node. In some embodiments, the first request comprises a read command message sent over an AIoT interface.

[0022] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising: (i) means for receiving, from a reader device, a first request message instructing the first apparatus to read a parameter; (ii) means for sending a first response message including a first value of the parameter to the reader device; (iii) means for storing the first value of the parameter; (iv) means for receiving, from the reader device, a second request message instructing the first apparatus to read the parameter; (v) means for determining whether to send a second response to the second request message based on a difference between the first value of the parameter and a second value of the parameter; and (vi) means for sending the second response to the second request message based on the determining. In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for storing the second value of the parameter. In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises: means for measuring the parameter to obtain the first value of the parameter; or means for measuring the parameter to obtain the second value of the parameter.In some embodiments, the first value of the parameter and the second value of the parameter differ by a percentage value or a delta value. In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for receiving the percentage value or the delta value in the second request message. In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for receiving, in the first request message, a third value of the parameter, wherein the sending the first response message to the first request to the reader device is based on the third value and first value differing by a percentage value or a delta value. In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for receiving the percentage value or the delta value in the first request message. In some embodiments, the apparatus is an ambient internet-of-things (AIoT) device. In some embodiments, the reader device is or is comprised in at least one of: a user equipment; or a radio access node. In some embodiments, the first request comprises a read command message sent over an AIoT interface.

[0023] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a second apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus at least to: (i) send, to one or more ambient internet-of-things (AIoT) devices, a first request message instructing at least one of the one or more AIoT devices to read a parameter; (ii) receive a first value of the first parameter from at least one of the one or more AIoT devices; and (iii) determine to send, to the at least one of the one or more AIoT devices, a second request message instructing the at least one of the one or more AIoT devices to read the parameter. In some embodiments, the determining to send the second request message is based on at least one of the following: (i) a frequency and / or an amplitude of change of the parameter in the one or more AIoT devices; (ii) a capability associated with the one or more AIoT devices; (iii) a location associated with the one or more AIoT devices; or (iv) an energy status associated with the one or more AIoT devices. In some embodiments, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to receive a second value of the parameter from the at least one of the one or more AIoT devices, wherein the second value of the parameter differs from the first value of the parameter. In some embodiments, the second value of the parameter differs from the first value of the parameter by a percentage value or a delta value. In some embodiments, the second request message comprises the percentage value or the delta value. In some embodiments, the percentage value or the delta value are based on at least one of the following: (i) a frequencyand / or an amplitude of change of the parameter in the one or more AIoT devices; (ii) a capability associated with the one or more AIoT devices; (iii) a location associated with the one or more AIoT devices; or (iv) an energy status associated with the one or more AIoT devices. In some embodiments, apparatus is a reader device. In some embodiments, the reader device is or is comprised in at least one of the following: a user equipment; or a network device.

[0024] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method, comprising: (i) sending, to one or more ambient internet-of-things (AIoT) devices, a first request message instructing at least one of the one or more AIoT devices to read a parameter; (ii) receiving a first value of the first parameter from at least one of the one or more AIoT devices; and (iii) determining to send, to the at least one of the one or more AIoT devices, a second request message instructing the at least one of the one or more AIoT devices to read the parameter. In some embodiments, the determining to send the second request message is based on at least one of the following: (i) a frequency and / or an amplitude of change of the parameter in the one or more AIoT devices; (ii) a capability associated with the one or more AIoT devices; (iii) a location associated with the one or more AIoT devices; or (iv) an energy status associated with the one or more AIoT devices. In some embodiments, the method further comprises receiving a second value of the parameter from the at least one of the one or more AIoT devices, wherein the second value of the parameter differs from the first value of the parameter. In some embodiments, the second value of the parameter differs from the first value of the parameter by a percentage value or a delta value. In some embodiments, the second request message comprises the percentage value or the delta value. In some embodiments, the percentage value or the delta value are based on at least one of the following: (i) a frequency and / or an amplitude of change of the parameter in the one or more AIoT devices; (ii) a capability associated with the one or more AIoT devices; (iii) a location associated with the one or more AIoT devices; or (iv) an energy status associated with the one or more AIoT devices. In some embodiments, the apparatus is a reader device. In some embodiments, the reader device is or is comprised in at least one of the following: a user equipment; or a network device.

[0025] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to: (i) send, to one or more ambient internet-of-things (AIoT) devices, a first request message instructing at least one of the one or more AIoT devices to read a parameter; (ii)receive a first value of the first parameter from at least one of the one or more AIoT devices; and (iii) determine to send, to the at least one of the one or more AIoT devices, a second request message instructing the at least one of the one or more AIoT devices to read the parameter. In some embodiments, the determining to send the second request message is based on at least one of the following: (i) a frequency and / or an amplitude of change of the parameter in the one or more AIoT devices; (ii) a capability associated with the one or more AIoT devices; (iii) a location associated with the one or more AIoT devices; or (iv) an energy status associated with the one or more AIoT devices. In some embodiments, the program instructions, when executed by the apparatus, further cause the apparatus to receive a second value of the parameter from the at least one of the one or more AIoT devices, wherein the second value of the parameter differs from the first value of the parameter. In some embodiments, the second value of the parameter differs from the first value of the parameter by a percentage value or a delta value. In some embodiments, the second request message comprises the percentage value or the delta value. In some embodiments, the percentage value or the delta value are based on at least one of the following: (i) a frequency and / or an amplitude of change of the parameter in the one or more AIoT devices; (ii) a capability associated with the one or more AIoT devices; (iii) a location associated with the one or more AIoT devices; or (iv) an energy status associated with the one or more AIoT devices. In some embodiments, the apparatus is a reader device. In some embodiments, the reader device is or is comprised in at least one of the following: a user equipment; or a network device.

[0026] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising: (i) means for sending, to one or more ambient internet-of-things (AIoT) devices, a first request message instructing at least one of the one or more AIoT devices to read a parameter; (ii) means for receiving a first value of the first parameter from at least one of the one or more AIoT devices; and (iii) means for determining to send, to the at least one of the one or more AIoT devices, a second request message instructing the at least one of the one or more AIoT devices to read the parameter. In some embodiments, the determining to send the second request message is based on at least one of the following: (i) a frequency and / or an amplitude of change of the parameter in the one or more AIoT devices; (ii) a capability associated with the one or more AIoT devices; (iii) a location associated with the one or more AIoT devices; or (iv) an energy status associated with the one or more AIoT devices. In some embodiments, the apparatus furthercomprises means for means for receiving a second value of the parameter from the at least one of the one or more AIoT devices, wherein the second value of the parameter differs from the first value of the parameter. In some embodiments, the second value of the parameter differs from the first value of the parameter by a percentage value or a delta value. In some embodiments, the second request message comprises the percentage value or the delta value. In some embodiments, the percentage value or the delta value are based on at least one of the following:(i) a frequency and / or an amplitude of change of the parameter in the one or more AIoT devices;(ii) a capability associated with the one or more AIoT devices; (iii) a location associated with the one or more AIoT devices; or (iv) an energy status associated with the one or more AIoT devices. In some embodiments, the apparatus is a reader device. In some embodiments, the reader device is or is comprised in at least one of the following: a user equipment; or a network device.LIST OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In the following, the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the embodiments and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] Fig. 1 shows an example of a communication network to which examples disclosed herein may be applied;

[0029] Fig. 2 shows an example of a method;

[0030] Fig. 3 shows an example of a method;

[0031] Fig. 4 shows an example of a method;

[0032] Fig. 5 shows an example of a method;

[0033] Fig. 6 shows an example of a method;

[0034] Fig. 7 shows an example of a method;

[0035] Fig. 8 shows an example of a signaling flow diagram;

[0036] Fig. 9 shows an example of a signaling flow diagram;

[0037] Fig. 10 shows an example of a signaling flow diagram; and

[0038] Fig. 11 shows an example of an apparatus.DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0039] The following embodiments are exemplary. Although the specification may refer to “an”, “one”, or “some” embodiment(s) in several locations of the text, this does not necessarilymean that each reference is made to the same embodiment(s), or that a particular feature only applies to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection of an embodiment, it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to apply such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. It shall be understood that although the terms “first”, “second”, and / or the like may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another.

[0040] For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrases “at least one of A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, and “A and / or B” mean (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “A, B, and / or C” means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C).

[0041] Embodiments described may be implemented in a communication network, such as any of the following radio access technologies (RATs): Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM, 2G), GSM EDGE radio access Network (GERAN), General Packet Radio Service (GRPS), Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS, 3G) based on basic wideband-code division multiple access (W-CDMA), high-speed packet access (HSPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE- Advanced, and enhanced LTE (eLTE), 5G (also called NR), or any future RAT such as 6G. Moreover, communications within the communication network may utilize any proper wireless communication technology, comprising but not limited to: Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), Time Division Duplex (TDD), Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple (OFDM), and / or Discrete Fourier Transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM).

[0042] As used herein, the term “network device” or “network node” refers to a node in a communication network via which user equipment may access the network and / or which is capable of controlling radio communication and managing radio resources within a cell. The network node or network device may be referred to as a base station (BS), an access point (AP), or an access node. The network device may be, depending on the applied technology, for example, a node B (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), an NR NB (alsoreferred to as a gNB), a Remote Radio Unit (RRU), a radio head (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node, a low power node, a nonterrestrial network (NTN) or non-ground network device such as a satellite network device, a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite and a geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) satellite, or an aircraft network device.

[0043] Moreover, in connection of split radio access network (RAN), the network device may refer to a centralized unit (CU) or a base station and / or a distributed unit (DU) of a base station. An interface between CU and DU may be referred to as an Fl interface in NR. In the split RAN architecture, node operations may be carried out, at least partly, in the central / centralized unit, CU (e.g., server, host, or node) operationally coupled to the DU, (e.g., a radio head / node). One CU may control one or more DUs, acting at least as transmit / receive (Tx / Rx) nodes. In some embodiments, the DUs may comprise, for example, a radio link control (RLC), medium access control (MAC) layer and a physical (PHY) layer, whereas the CU may comprise the layers above the RLC layer, such as a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio resource control (RRC) and an internet protocol (IP) layers. Other functional splits are also possible. In practice, any processing task may be performed in either the CU or the DU and the boundary where the responsibility is shifted between the CU and the DU may depend on the applied implementation.

[0044] The term “terminal device” refers to any end device that may be capable of wireless communication. By way of example, a terminal device may be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), a Subscriber Station (SS), or a Mobile Station (MS). The terminal device may include a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, a tablet, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), portable computers, desktop computers, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback appliances, vehiclemounted wireless terminal devices, USB dongles, an Internet of Things (loT) device, a watch or other wearable, a head-mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, a medical device and applications (e.g., remote surgery), an industrial device and applications (e.g., a robot and / or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and / or an automated processing chain context), a consumer electronics device, a device operating on commercial and / or industrial networks, and / or the like.

[0045] A term “resource”, as used herein, may refer to radio resources in time domain, in frequency domain, in space domain, and / or in code domain. Some examples of resources include, for example, physical resource block (PRB), a radio frame, a subframe, a time slot, a sub-band, a frequency region, a sub-carrier, a beam, and / or the like. The term “transmission” and / or “reception” may refer to wirelessly transmitting and / or receiving via a wireless propagation channel on radio resources.

[0046] Fig. 1 illustrates an example of a communication network to which examples disclosed herein may be applied. The communication network or a cellular communication network may comprise a network node 110 providing one or more cells, such as cell 100, and a network node 112 providing one or more other cells, such as cell 102. Each cell may be, for example, a macro cell, a micro cell, a femto cell, or a pico cell, for example. The cell may define a coverage area or a service area of the corresponding access node.

[0047] The network node 110 may provide a user equipment (UE) 120 (one or more UEs) with wireless access to the communication network. The wireless access may comprise downlink (DL) communication from the network node to the UE 120 and uplink (UL) communication from the UE 120 to the network node. Examples of uplink channels comprise physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) for transmitting control information and physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) for transmitting data towards the network. Examples of downlink channels comprise physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for transmitting control information and physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) for transmitting data towards the user equipment.

[0048] There may be a plurality of UEs 120, 122, in the system. Each of them may be served by the same or by different network nodes 110, 112. UE may be configured with dual connectivity (DC), wherein the UE, for example, UE 120, may be connected to multiple network nodes 110, 112. The UEs 120, 122, may communicate with each other, in case device-to-device (D2D) communication interface is established between them via a so-called sidelink (SL). Such D2D communications may be referred to as machine-to-machine, peer-to-peer (P2P) communications, or vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), for example.

[0049] In the case of multiple network nodes in the communication network, the network nodes may be connected to each other via an interface. LTE specifications call such an interface an X2 interface. An interface between an LTE node and a 5G node, or between two 5G nodes, may be called an Xn interface.

[0050] The network nodes 110 and 112 may be further connected via another interface to a core network 116 of the communication network. The LTE specifications specify the core network as an evolved packet core (EPC), and the core network may comprise, for example, a mobility management entity (MME) and a gateway node. The MME may handle mobility of terminal devices in a tracking area encompassing a plurality of cells and handle signaling connections between the terminal devices and the core network. The gateway node may handle data routing in the core network and to / from the terminal devices. The 5G specifications specify the core network as a 5G core (5GC). The 5G core may comprise, for example, an access and mobility management function (AMF) and a use plane function / gateway (UPF) and other functions. The AMF may handle termination of non-access stratum (NAS) signaling, NAS ciphering and integrity protection, registration management, connection management, mobility management, access authentication and authorization, security context management, and / or the like. The UPF node may support packet routing and forwarding, packet inspection, and quality of service (QoS) handling, for example.

[0051] Terminal devices based on energy harvesting may operate in active mode(s) or passive mode(s) A terminal device may use energy harvested from wireless radio waves or other sources of energy. In some examples, the terminal device may use energy which can be harvested in its particular deployment scenario. For example, energy harvested from wireless radio waves, output power of a respective energy harvester may range from several microwatts to tens of microwatts. In some examples, if solar energy (e.g., via solar panels) is used for energy harvesting, output power may be in the range of 1 milliwatt, for example, due to comparatively small sizes of solar panels. In some examples, energy harvesting devices may be configured to harvest energy and use an active circuit to transmit (e.g., like a conventional transmitter) and / or amplify backscattered signal(s). In other examples, energy harvesting devices such as passive devices or tags may not include active transmission circuitry and thus rely on backscattering to transmit data.

[0052] In at least some technologies, radiofrequency identification (RFID) solutions may be implemented with backscattering technologies. In some embodiments, ambient internet-of-things (AIoT) applications may utilize various technologies to enhance coverage, for example, for backscattering RFID technologies. In some embodiments, AIoT applications may further utilize features such as harvesting energy from a dedicated source, harvesting energy from an ambientenergy source, and / or efficiently spending energy for loT-type data transmissions. In some embodiments, an AIoT device may be a battery-less device and / or a device with limited energy storage capabilities. In some embodiments, the AIoT device may use energy provided via radio wave harvesting, light, motion, and / or the like.

[0053] In at least some technologies, AIoT devices may be suitable for various types of applications, for example, such as logistics, manufacture, transportation, energy, and / or the like. Improvements to ambient loT devices in public and / or private networks, as described herein, may provide benefits, for example, to the 5G ecosystem. Various embodiments described herein may yield advantages to various areas of AIoT device technologies, such as: (i) operation under extreme environmental conditions (e.g., high pressure, extremely high / low temperature, humid environment, vibration, etc.); (ii) ultra-low complexity (e.g., cost), very small terminal size / form factor (e.g., thickness in millimeters), maintenance-free and longer life cycles, etc.; and (iii) areas in which batter-driven terminals may not be suitable. Therefore, improvements to AIoT device technologies using battery-less terminals and / or terminals with limited energy storage capabilities (e.g., using capacitors) may provide advantages to various technologies, as described herein.

[0054] A terminal device may access a spectrum via various methods. In some examples, such methods are network-triggered, including Device-Originated - Device-Terminated Triggered (DO-DTT) methods, Device-Terminated (DT) methods, and / or other methods. Network triggers may be performed by an initial trigger message (e.g., AIoT paging). A reader device may be configured to transmit initial trigger messages. In some examples, reader devices may be gNBs and / or UEs. A triggered terminal device may access a channel using various methods, for example, such as: (i) contention-free access (CFA), in which the network provides a fixed set of resources to which the terminal device(s) may reply; and (ii) contention-based random access (CBRA), in which the terminal device may select a random occasion of a set provided by the reader device. However, such procedures may cause contention between access occasions and, thus, collisions within message transmission(s) and potential loss of data.

[0055] In some embodiments, if a terminal device is triggered for random access by a reader device, the terminal device may use a session identifier (ID) to determine whether the terminal device has already accessed a network in a current reading session, for example, to avoid sending duplicate information within the same reading session. However, use of session IDs in thismanner may not provide useful results, for example, if the network attempts to control device access across different reading sessions.

[0056] In some embodiments, a communication session between a network and one or more AIoT devices (e.g., inventor and command procedures) may be initiated via a trigger message from a reader device. The trigger message may include device IDs for the respective AIoT devices and / or request blind discovery of one or more devices.

[0057] However, providing device IDs may result in issues in various scenarios. For example, such problems with some existing technologies may arise from various scenarios, including: (i) large quantities of target devices IDs (e.g., resulting in devices searching extensive lists); (ii) in command use cases, it may be preferable for a network to receive information from a predetermined quantity of devices (e.g., rather than knowing which specific devices responded to certain queries), and / or it may be preferable for the network to determine which devices responded in previous sessions such that it may stop at least some of those devices from accessing the network in a current session; (iii) in cases with commands as “read commands”, if not all devices (e.g., or not particular devices) respond, it may be preferable for an initiator of the commands to know whether devices which will answer are ones for which a newly read value differs most from a previously reported value (e.g., or differs by at least some predetermined quantity); and / or other scenarios.

[0058] To at least partially tackle these and other problems, there is proposed herein a solution (e.g., comprising one or more embodiments) for network access via contention-free random access (CFRA) of one or more devices across a plurality of reading sessions, for example, by providing filtering criteria (e.g., including explicit listing of device IDs or excluding explicit listing of device IDs) in respective reading sessions. Advantages of embodiments described herein may be suitable for AIoT devices, for example, such as in command use cases.

[0059] Fig. 2 shows an example of a method 200. The method 200 may be computer- implemented. The method 200 may be performed by an AIoT device. As shown in block 210, the method may comprise receiving, from a reader device and during a first session, a session identifier (ID) associated with the first session. As shown in block 220, the method 200 may comprise storing the session ID as a previous session ID. As shown in block 230, the method 200 may comprise receiving, from the reader device, a command message associated with a second session, wherein the command message comprises one or more filter session IDs. As shown inblock 240, the method 200 may comprise determining, based on the previous session ID and the one or more filter session IDs, whether to attempt network access to respond to the command message associated with the second session.

[0060] Fig. 3 shows an example of a method 300. The method 300 may be computer- implemented. The method 300 may be performed by a reader device (e.g., a RAN (Radio Access Network) node, a gNB, a UE, an intermediate node, and / or the like). As shown in block 310, the method 300 may comprise causing transmission, to one or more ambient internet-of-things (AIoT) devices during a first session, such that a session identifier (ID) is associated with the first session. As shown in block 320, the method 300 may comprise causing transmission, to the one or more AIoT devices, of a command message associated with a second session, wherein the command message comprises one or more filter session IDs that enables the one or more AIoT devices to determine whether to attempt network access to respond to the command message. As shown in block 330, the method 300 may comprise receiving, from at least one of the one or more AIoT devices, a response comprising one or more device IDs.

[0061] Fig. 4 shows an example of a method 400. The method 400 may be computer- implemented. The method 400 may be performed by an AIoT device. As shown in block 410, the method 400 may comprise starting a timer. As shown in block 420, the method 400 may comprise receiving, from a reader device, a trigger message including a time since queried parameter configured to indicate a threshold for a time duration since an ambient internet-of- things (AIoT) device previously performed network access. As shown in block 430, the method 400 may comprise, based on a value of the time since queried parameter being greater than or equal to the timer, perform network access responsive to the trigger message and restarting the timer.

[0062] Fig. 5 shows an example of a method 500. The method 500 may be computer- implemented. The method 500 may be performed by a reader device (e.g., a RAN (Radio Access Network) node, a gNB, a UE, an intermediate node, and / or the like). As shown in block 510, the method 500 may comprise causing transmission, to one or more ambient internet-of-things (AIoT) devices, of a trigger message including a time since queried parameter configured to indicate a threshold for a time duration since at least one of the one or more AIoT devices previously performed network access. As shown in block 520, the method 500 may comprise determining that at least one of the one or more AIoT devices has performed, based on a value ofthe time since queried parameter being greater than or equal to a timer of the at least one of the one or more AIoT devices, network access responsive to the trigger message.

[0063] Fig. 6 shows an example of a method 600. The method 600 may be computer- implemented. The method 600 may be performed by an AIoT device. As shown in block 610, the method 600 may comprise receiving, from a reader device (e.g., a RAN (Radio Access Network) node, a gNB, a UE, an intermediate node, and / or the like), a first request message instructing the first apparatus to read a parameter. As shown in block 620, the method 600 may comprise sending a first response message including a first value of the parameter to the reader device. As shown in block 630, the method 600 may comprise storing the first value of the parameter. As shown in block 640, the method 600 may comprise receiving, from the reader device, a second request message instructing the first apparatus to read the parameter. As shown in block 650, the method 600 may comprise determining whether to send a second response to the second request message based on a difference between the first value of the parameter and a second value of the parameter. As shown in block 660, the method 600 may comprise sending the second response to the second request message based on the determining.

[0064] Fig. 7 shows an example of a method 700. The method 700 may be computer- implemented. The method 700 may be performed by a reader device (e.g., a RAN node, a gNB, a UE, an intermediate node, and / or the like). As shown in block 710, the method 700 may comprise sending, to one or more ambient internet-of-things (AIoT) devices, a first request message instructing at least one of the one or more AIoT devices to read a parameter. As shown in block 720, the method 700 may comprise receiving a first value of the first parameter from at least one of the one or more AIoT devices. As shown in block 730, the method 700 may comprise determining to send, to the at least one of the one or more AIoT devices, a second request message instructing the at least one of the one or more AIoT devices to read the parameter.

[0065] Fig. 8 shows an example of a signaling flow diagram. In the example of Fig. 8, respective reading sessions of a plurality of reading sessions may be assigned session IDs. Respective AIoT devices which receive, for example, a particular session ID in a trigger message received from a reader device may respond to the trigger message and / or perform random access procedure(s). The AIoT devices may store the session ID in their memory. During a subsequent reading session, a network may request that AIoT devices having previous session ID = X(where X is a placeholder for a session ID) not respond during the subsequent reading session. In the example of Fig. 8, session IDs may be used to control network access of AIoT devices across reading sessions.

[0066] The example of Fig. 8 comprises a reader device 810, a device 812, and a device 814. The first device 812 and the second device 814 may be AIoT devices. At step 820, the reader device 810 may transmit a read command to the devices 812 and 814. The read command may comprise a session ID, a round size, one or more filter session IDs, a filter flag, and / or other information. At step 820A, the device 814 may set previous session ID = session ID. At 820B, the device 814 may transmit a trigger response and / or its device ID to the reader device 810. At step 822, the reader device 810 may transmit a read command to the devices 812 and 814. At step 824A, the device 812 may set previous session ID = session ID and respond to the read command, for example, if filter session ID #= previous session ID and filter flag = 0. At step 824C, the device 812 may transmit a trigger response and / or its device ID to the reader device 810. At step 824B, the device 814 may not transmit a trigger response to the reader device 810, for example, if filter session ID = previous session ID and filter flag = 0.

[0067] In the example of Fig. 8, a first reading session is provided a session ID. Respective devices (e.g., AIoT devices) accessing a network may store the session ID as previous session ID. As shown in steps 820, 820A, and 820B, the device 812 does not access the network and the device 814 does access the network. Accessing the network may be construed to mean that devices performing such accessing are able to transmit data successfully, for example, following random access procedure(s).

[0068] In the example of Fig. 8, for a second reading session (e.g., subsequent to the first reading session), the network may filter device access, for example, based on one or more access criteria. In some embodiments, the network may request that devices with filter session ID = X attempt network access again if filter flag = / . In some embodiments, the network may request that devices with filter session ID = X not attempt network access if filter flag = 0. Moreover, the filter session ID parameter may be extended to one or more previous session IDs, for example, filter session ID = X,Y and filter flag = / may indicate that devices accessing the network in sessions X and / or Y can attempt network access again. For example, an initialization process may begin with the network: (i) leaving the filter session ID field empty, (ii) requesting that respective devices access the network in a particular session, and (iii) terminating the sessionbased on a certain quantity or percentage of devices accessing the network; in a next session, the devices which accessed the network in the previous session may be barred from accessing the network again (e.g., via the filter session and filter flag parameters).

[0069] In the example of Fig. 8, the devices may receive the trigger message comprising the filter session ID and / or filter flag parameters. For example, if filter session ID = previous session ID and filter flag = 0, the devices may not access the network. For example, the devices may access the network if filter session ID #= previous session ID and filter flag = 0; in this case, the devices may update previous session ID with session ID (e.g., as shown step 824A). In some examples, once the reader device receives one or more responses, it may detect fewer than expected responses due to some devices going out of coverage of the reader device and / or other reasons. In such cases, the reader device and / or network may choose to indicate a re-session (e.g., random access) procedure in which new or existing devices may be associated with the specific session ID. In some embodiments, the filter flag parameter may be optional. In such cases, the reader device may include one or more session IDs without including a filter flag, indicating that devices may access the network if filter session ID #= previous session ID (e.g., as if an implicit filter flag = 0).

[0070] Fig. 9 shows an example of a signaling flow diagram. In the example of Fig. 9, devices may access a network if they have not accessed the network for more than a predetermined amount of time.

[0071] The example of Fig. 9 comprises a reader device 910, a device 912, and a device 914. The first device 912 and the second device 914 may be AIoT devices. The signaling flow diagram of Fig. 9 includes an initialization phase I (indicated by the dashed rectangle) which includes steps 920, 922A, 922B, and 922C. At step 920, devices 912 and 914 may start or initiate a time queried timer. At step 922 A, the reader device 910 may transmit a first read command to the devices 912 and 914. The first read command may include a session ID, a round size, a session time, time since queried = 0, and / or other information. Assuming that in this example, the device 912 determines not to respond to the first read command while the device 914 determines to respond, at step 922B, the device 914 may reset its timer to zero or the device 914 may set its timer based on an initial value provided in the first read command for the parameter session time. At step 922C, the device 914 may transmit a trigger response and its device ID to the reader device 910. At step 924A, the reader device may transmit a second read command tothe devices 912 and 914. The second read command may include a session ID, a round size, session time, time since queried, and / or other information. At step 924B, the device 912 may reset its timer to zero or the device 912 may reset its timer based on an initial value provided in the second read command for the parameter session time, for example, if time queried > time since queried. At step 924D, the device 912 may transmit a trigger response and its device ID to the reader device 910. At step 924C, the device 914 may not send a response to the reader device 910, for example, if time queried < time since queried.

[0072] In the example of Fig. 9, at the beginning of a first session, the reader device may send a trigger command which includes parameters such as session time and time since queried. Respective devices accessing the network may reset their respective timers with the value of session time. In an example embodiment, different devices may respond to the same session at different times. If it is desired that the devices behave same in the next session(s), the parameter session time may comprise multiple values, each of which is used by difference device responding to the session at different time to allow a plurality of devices accessing the network during a next session to have a same time queried. The trigger command further includes a time since queried parameter, which may be initially set to zero. A first session may be truncated, meaning that once a threshold quantity of devices have responded in the first session, some of those devices may have their timers set with the value specified in session time and some of those devices may not.

[0073] In the example of Fig. 9, during a second session (e.g., subsequent to the first session), the reader device sends a trigger command including the time since queried parameter. Devices having a timer value greater than time since queried may respond to the trigger message (e.g., while devices having a timer value less than time since queried may not respond to the trigger message). The devices which respond to the trigger message may reset their respective timers based on the value specified in the session time parameter, while the other devices keep their first timers running (e.g., allowing them to have higher timer values in a next session). It may be possible to allow all devices attempting network access, for example, by setting the session time parameter to zero at any point in time.

[0074] In the example of Fig. 9, the time since queried parameter may be static or dynamic and / or may relate to a session ID, a paging ID, and / or a reader ID; the time since queried parameter may satisfy one, both, or none of these qualities. The network and / or reader devicemay account for challenges of a respective device with regard to harvesting power, for example, by increasing time between replies. For example, if the device responds to paging with an indication that it cannot continue data transfer and / or complete a command, the network and / or reader device may extend the time for that device.

[0075] Fig. 10 shows an example of a signaling flow diagram. In the example of Fig. 10, one or more devices responding to a particular reading request of a parameter may store a responded value or information locally (e.g., in the device’s memory). Subsequently, when a reader device transmits a second request message for a reading request of the same parameter, the devices may respond to the reader device, for example, if new information read by the devices is different from the information they sent when responding to the previous reading request. Additionally or alternatively, the reader device may include a difference criteria in the read request or command such that the devices reply if the difference is greater than a predetermined criterion (e.g. preconfigured in the devices) or filter or greater than the criterion or filter received in the read request or command and / or if the difference is greater than a percentage of a previously reported value and / or if the difference is greater than a delta value. In the example of Fig. 10, devices 1012 and 1014 reply to a second read request or command, while device 1016 may not respond to the second read command.

[0076] The example of Fig. 10 comprises a reader device 1010, a device 1012, a device 1014, and a device 1016. The devices 1012, 1014, and / or 1016 may be AIoT devices. At step 1020, the reader 1010 transmits a first read command or read request to the devices 1012, 1014, and 1016, wherein the first read command includes a request to measure (e.g., read) a parameter X. At step 1022, the devices 1012, 1014, and / or 1016 measure parameter X and / or reply to the network with the measured values (e.g., device 1012 replies with value XI, device 1014 replies with value X2, device 1016 replies with value X3, etc.). The devices 1012, 1014, and / or 1016 buffer (e.g., store) the responded values (e.g., device 1012 stores XI, device 1014 stores X2, device 1016 stores X3, etc.). At step 1024, the reader device 1010 transmits a second read command to the devices 1012, 1014, and 1016, wherein the second command includes parameter X and an optional criterion Y. At step 1026, the devices 1012, 1014, and 1016 may again measure parameter X, measuring values XI’, X2’, and X3’, respectively.

[0077] The devices 1012, 1014, and / or 1016 may selectively respond, for example, in the following manner: (i) if no filter or criterion parameter Y is included at step 1024, the devices1012, 1014, and 1016 may reply if their respective measured values X’ differ from a previously replied value X. For example, device 1012 may reply if it measures XT to be different than the previously replied value XI ; (ii) if the filter or criterion parameter Y is included as a percentage, the devices 1012, 1014, and 1016 may reply if their respective measured values X’ differ from previously replied values X by at least Y percent. For example, device 1012 may reply if it measures XI’ such that I XI’ - XI | > Y% of XI; and (iii) if the filter or criterion parameter Y is included as a value described as “delta value”, the devices 1012, 1014, and / or 1016 may reply if their respective measured X’ differs from previously replied values X by at least the amount of the delta value. For example, device 1012 may reply if it measures XI’ such that I XI’ - XI I > delta value.

[0078] Fig. 11 shows, by way of example, a block diagram of an apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 comprises, for example, at least one processor 12 and at least one memory 14 storing instructions 15 that, when executed by the at least one processor 12, cause the apparatus 10 at least to perform the method or methods as disclosed herein, and any of the embodiments thereof. In an example, the at least one memory 14 and instructions 15 (e.g., a computer program, code, software, and / or the like) are configured, with the at least one processor 12, to cause the apparatus 10 to perform the method or methods as disclosed herein, and any of the embodiments thereof.

[0079] A processor 12 may comprise circuitry, or be constituted as circuitry or circuitries, the circuitry or circuitries being configured to perform phases of methods in accordance with example embodiments described herein. As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations, such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry, and (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as, as applicable: (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a user equipment, to perform various functions), and (c) hardware circuit(s) and / or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation. This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry alsocovers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0080] The memory 14 may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology. The memory may comprise a database for storing data. The memory 14 may be at least in part external to apparatus 10 but accessible to apparatus 10.

[0081] The instructions 15 may be comprised in a computer-readable medium or a non- transitory computer readable medium. A term “non-transitory”, as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (e.g., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., random access memory (RAM) vs. read only memory (ROM)).

[0082] For example, the apparatus 10 is a terminal device, such as the UE of Figs. 8, 9, 10, and / or 11. As another example, the apparatus is comprised in such a terminal device, for example, as a chipset configured to control the terminal device. The apparatus 10 may be caused or configured to perform at least the method of Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and / or any one or more of the embodiments described.

[0083] As another example, the apparatus 10 is a network node, for example, the network node of Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and / or nay one or more of the embodiment described. In another embodiment, the apparatus is comprised in such a network node, for example, as a chipset configured to control the network node. The apparatus 10 may be caused or configured to perform at least the method of Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and / or any one or more of the embodiments described herein.

[0084] The apparatus may comprise one or more entities of any protocol layers, such as a MAC entity, an RRC entity, an REC entity, a PDCP entity, a PHY entity, and / or the like. In some embodiments, the entity is configured to perform at least the method of Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and / or any one or more of the embodiments described.

[0085] The apparatus 10 comprises a radio interface 16. The radio interface 16 may provide the apparatus 10 with communication capabilities. The radio interface 16 may comprise a receiver configured to receive information in accordance with at least one cellular or non-cellularstandard. The radio interface 16 may comprise a transmitter configured to transmit information in accordance with at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. The receiver may comprise more than one receiver. The transmitter may comprise more than one transmitter. The radio interface 16 may comprise a transceiver configured to receive and transmit information in accordance with at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. The transceiver may comprise more than one transceiver.

[0086] The apparatus 10 may comprise a user interface 18 comprising, for example, at least one of a keypad, a microphone, a touch display, a display, a speaker, and / or the like. The user interface 18 may be used to control the apparatus by a user. The user interface 18 may be external to the apparatus 10. For example, the apparatus 10 may be connected to another device, such as a computer, either via wireless or wired connection, and the apparatus 10 is controlled by the user via the computer.

[0087] In an embodiment, at least some of the processes described herein may be carried out by an apparatus comprising means for carrying out at least some of the described processes. Means for performing method steps as disclosed herein may include software and / or hardware components of the apparatus 10. For example, the at least one processor 12, the memory 14, and the instructions 15 (e.g., computer program code) form means for carrying out the method or methods as disclosed herein, and any of the embodiments thereof. As used herein, the term “means” is to construed in singular form, i.e., referring to a single element, or in plural form, i.e., referring to a combination of single elements. Therefore, terminology “means for [performing A, B, C]” is to be interpreted to cover an apparatus in which there is only one means for performing A, B, and C, or where there are separate means for performing A, B, and C, or partially or fully overlapping means for performing A, B, C. Further, terminology “means for performing A, means for performing B, means for performing C” is to be interpreted to cover an apparatus in which there is only one means for performing A, B, and C, or where there are separate means for performing A, B, and C, or partially or fully overlapping means for performing A, B, C.

[0088] Following is a list of some aspects of the invention.

[0089] According to a first aspect, there is provided a method, comprising: (i) receiving, from a reader device and during a first session, a session identifier (ID) associated with the first session; (ii) storing the session ID as a previous session ID; (iii) receiving, from the reader device, a command message associated with a second session, wherein the command messagecomprises one or more filter session IDs; and (iv) determining, based on the previous session ID and the one or more filter session IDs, whether to attempt network access to respond to the command message associated with the second session. Various embodiments of the first aspect may comprise at least one feature from the following bulleted list:• receiving, from a reader device and during a first session, a session identifier (ID) associated with the first session;• storing the session ID as a previous session ID;• receiving, from the reader device, a command message associated with a second session, wherein the command message comprises one or more filter session IDs;• determining, based on the previous session ID and the one or more filter session IDs, whether to attempt network access to respond to the command message associated with the second session;• determining, based on at least one of the one or more filter session IDs being different from the stored previous session ID, to attempt network access to respond to the command message;• determining, based on at least one of the one or more filter session IDs being the same as the stored previous session ID, to attempt network access responsive to the command message;• determining, based on at least one of the one or more filter session IDs being the same as the stored previous session ID, not to attempt network access responsive to the command message; and / or• receiving, from the reader device, information indicating that the first session has been terminated.

[0090] According to a second aspect, there is provided a method, comprising: (i) causing transmission, to one or more ambient internet-of-things (AIoT) devices during a first session such that a session identifier (ID) is associated with the first session; (ii) causing transmission, to the one or more AIoT devices, of a command message associated with a second session, wherein the command message comprises one or more filter session IDs that enables the one or more AIoT devices to determine whether to attempt network access to respond to the command message; and (iii) receiving, from at least one of the one or more AIoT devices, a responsecomprising one or more device IDs. Various embodiments of the second aspect may comprise at least one feature from the following bulleted list:• causing transmission, to one or more ambient internet-of-things (AIoT) devices during a first session such that a session identifier (ID) is associated with the first session;• causing transmission, to the one or more AIoT devices, of a command message associated with a second session, wherein the command message comprises one or more filter session IDs that enables the one or more AIoT devices to determine whether to attempt network access to respond to the command message;• receiving, from at least one of the one or more AIoT devices, a response comprising one or more device IDs;• initiating, based on determining that a quantity of AIoT devices below a first predetermined threshold have responded to the second apparatus, a random access procedure;• causing transmission, to the one or more AIoT devices, of information indicating a filter flag;• terminating, based on determining that a quantity of AIoT devices at or above a second predetermined threshold have accessed the network, the first session; and / or• causing transmission, to the one or more AIoT devices, of information indicating that the first session has been terminated.

[0091] According to a third aspect, there is provided a method, comprising: (i) starting a timer; (ii) receiving, from a reader device, a trigger message including a time since queried parameter configured to indicate a threshold for a time duration since the first apparatus previously performed network access; and (iii) based on a value of the time since queried parameter being greater than or equal to the timer: performing network access responsive to the trigger message; and restarting the timer. Various embodiments of the third aspect may comprise at least one feature from the following bulleted list:• starting a timer;• receiving, from a reader device, a trigger message including a time since queried parameter configured to indicate a threshold for a time duration since the first apparatus previously performed network access;• based on a value of the time since queried parameter being greater than or equal to the timer: performing network access responsive to the trigger message; and restarting the timer;• starting the timer with as value set randomly for initialization;

[0092] restarting the timer according to a value of a session time parameter comprised in the trigger message; and / or• maintaining, based on not performing network access responsive to the trigger message based on a value of the time since queried parameter being smaller than the timer, operation of the timer.

[0093] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a method, comprising: (i) causing transmission, to one or more ambient internet-of-things (AIoT) devices, of a trigger message including a time since queried parameter configured to indicate a threshold for a time duration since at least one of the one or more AIoT devices previously performed network access; and (ii) determining that at least one of the one or more AIoT devices has performed, based on a value of the time since queried parameter being greater than or equal to a timer of the at least one of the one or more AIoT devices, network access responsive to the trigger message. Various embodiments of the fourth aspect may comprise at least one feature from the following bulleted list:• causing transmission, to one or more ambient internet-of-things (AIoT) devices, of a trigger message including a time since queried parameter configured to indicate a threshold for a time duration since at least one of the one or more AIoT devices previously performed network access; and / or• determining that at least one of the one or more AIoT devices has performed, based on a value of the time since queried parameter being greater than or equal to a timer of the at least one of the one or more AIoT devices, network access responsive to the trigger message.

[0094] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a method, comprising: (i) receiving, from a reader device, a first request message instructing the first apparatus to read a parameter;(ii) sending a first response message including a first value of the parameter to the reader device;(iii) storing the first value of the parameter; (iv) receiving, from the reader device, a second request message instructing the first apparatus to read the parameter; (v) determining whether to send a second response to the second request message based on a difference between the first value of the parameter and a second value of the parameter; and (vi) sending the second response to the second request message based on the determining. Various embodiments of the fifth aspect may comprise at least one feature from the following bulleted list:• receiving, from a reader device, a first request message instructing the first apparatus to read a parameter;• sending a first response message including a first value of the parameter to the reader device;• storing the first value of the parameter;• receiving, from the reader device, a second request message instructing the first apparatus to read the parameter;• determining whether to send a second response to the second request message based on a difference between the first value of the parameter and a second value of the parameter;• sending the second response to the second request message based on the determining;• storing the second value of the parameter;• measuring the parameter to obtain the first value of the parameter;• measuring the parameter to obtain the second value of the parameter;• receiving the percentage value or the delta value in the second request message; and / or• receiving, in the first request message, a third value of the parameter, wherein the sending the first response message to the first request to the reader device is based on the third value and first value differing by a percentage value or a delta value.

[0095] According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a method, comprising: (i) sending, to one or more ambient internet-of-things (AIoT) devices, a first request message instructing at least one of the one or more AIoT devices to read a parameter; (ii) receiving a first value of thefirst parameter from at least one of the one or more AIoT devices; and (iii) determining to send, to the at least one of the one or more AIoT devices, a second request message instructing the at least one of the one or more AIoT devices to read the parameter. V arious embodiments of the sixth aspect may comprise at least one feature from the following bulleted list:• sending, to one or more ambient internet-of-things (AIoT) devices, a first request message instructing at least one of the one or more AIoT devices to read a parameter;• receiving a first value of the first parameter from at least one of the one or more AIoT devices; and / or• determining to send, to the at least one of the one or more AIoT devices, a second request message instructing the at least one of the one or more AIoT devices to read the parameter.

[0096] According to a seventh aspect, there is provided an apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to: receive, from a reader device and during a first session, a session identifier (ID) associated with the first session; store the session ID as a previous session ID; receive, from the reader device, a command message associated with a second session, wherein the command message comprises one or more filter session IDs; and determine, based on the previous session ID and the one or more filter session IDs, whether to attempt network access to respond to the command message associated with the second session. Various embodiments of the seventh aspect may comprise at least one feature from the bulleted list under the first aspect.

[0097] According to an eighth aspect, there is provided an apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus at least to: cause transmission, to one or more ambient internet-of-things (AIoT) devices during a first session such that a session identifier (ID) is associated with the first session; cause transmission, to the one or more AIoT devices, of a command message associated with a second session, wherein the command message comprises one or more filter session IDs that enable the one or more AIoT devices to determine whether to attempt network access to respond to the command message; and receive, from at least one of the one or more AIoT devices, a response comprising one or more device IDs. Various embodimentsof the eighth aspect may comprise at least one feature from the bulleted list under the second aspect.

[0098] According to an ninth aspect, there is provided an apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to: start a timer; receive, from a reader device, a trigger message including a time since queried parameter configured to indicate a threshold for a time duration since the first apparatus previously performed network access; and based on a value of the time since queried parameter being greater than or equal to the timer: perform network access responsive to the trigger message; and restart the timer. Various embodiments of the ninth aspect may comprise at least one feature from the bulleted list under the third aspect.

[0099] According to a tenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus at least to: cause transmission, to one or more ambient internet-of-things (AIoT) devices, of a trigger message including a time since queried parameter configured to indicate a threshold for a time duration since at least one of the one or more AIoT devices previously performed network access; and determine that at least one of the one or more AIoT devices has performed, based on a value of the time since queried parameter being greater than or equal to a timer of the at least one of the one or more AIoT devices, network access responsive to the trigger message. Various embodiments of the tenth aspect may comprise at least one feature from the bulleted list under the fourth aspect.

[0100] According to an eleventh aspect, there is provided an apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to: receive, from a reader device, a first request message instructing the first apparatus to read a parameter; send a first response message including a first value of the parameter to the reader device; store the first value of the parameter;

[0101] receive, from the reader device, a second request message instructing the first apparatus to read the parameter; determine whether to send a second response to the second request message based on a difference between the first value of the parameter and a second value of the parameter; and send the second response to the second request message based on the determining. Various embodiments of the eleventh aspect may comprise at least one feature from the bulleted list under the fifth aspect.

[0102] According to a twelfth aspect, there is provided an apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus at least to: send, to one or more ambient internet-of-things (AIoT) devices, a first request message instructing at least one of the one or more AIoT devices to read a parameter; receive a first value of the first parameter from at least one of the one or more AIoT devices; and determine to send, to the at least one of the one or more AIoT devices, a second request message instructing the at least one of the one or more AIoT devices to read the parameter. Various embodiments of the twelfth aspect may comprise at least one feature from the bulleted list under the sixth aspect.

[0103] According to a thirteenth aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to carry out the method according to the first aspect.

[0104] According to a fourteenth aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to carry out the method according to the second aspect.

[0105] According to a fifteenth aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to carry out the method according to the third aspect.

[0106] According to a sixteenth aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to carry out the method according to the fourth aspect.

[0107] According to a seventeenth aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to carry out the method according to the fifth aspect.

[0108] According to an eighteenth aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to carry out the method according to the sixth aspect.

[0109] According to a nineteenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus, comprising means for performing the method according to the first aspect or according to the second aspect, and / or means configured to cause the apparatus to perform the method according to the first aspect or according to the second aspect.

[0110] According to a twentieth aspect, there is provided an apparatus, comprising means for performing the method according to the third aspect or according to the fourth aspect, and / or means configured to cause the apparatus to perform the method according to the third or fourth aspect or according to the second aspect.

[0111] According to a twenty-first aspect, there is provided an apparatus, comprising means for performing the method according to the fifth aspect or according to the sixth aspect, and / or means configured to cause the apparatus to perform the method according to the fifth aspect or according to the sixth aspect.

[0112] Even though the invention has been described above with reference to an example according to the accompanying drawings, it is clear that the invention is not restricted thereto but can be modified in several ways within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, all words and expressions should be interpreted broadly and they are intended to illustrate, not to restrict, the embodiment. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. Further, it is clear to a person skilled in the art that the described embodiments may, but are not required to, be combined with other embodiments in various ways.

Claims

CLAIMS:What is claimed is:

1. A first apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to: start a timer; receive, from a reader device, a trigger message including a time since queried parameter configured to indicate a threshold for a time duration since the first apparatus previously performed network access; and based on a value of the time since queried parameter being greater than or equal to the timer: perform network access responsive to the trigger message; and restart the timer.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the time since queried parameter is set to a value of 0 for an initial session.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the timer is started with a value set randomly for initialization.

4. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the restarting the timer comprises: restarting the timer according to a value of a session time parameter comprised in the trigger message.

5. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the first apparatus to: maintain, based on not performing network access responsive to the trigger message based on a value of the time since queried parameter being smaller than the timer, operation ofthe timer.

6. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the time since queried parameter is static or dynamic.

7. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the time since queried parameter is related to at least one of: a session identifier (ID); a paging ID; or a reader ID.

8. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first apparatus is or is comprised in at least one of the following: a user equipment; or a network device.

9. A method comprising: starting a timer; receiving, from a reader device, a trigger message including a time since queried parameter configured to indicate a threshold for a time duration since the first apparatus previously performed network access; and based on a value of the time since queried parameter being greater than or equal to the timer: performing network access responsive to the trigger message; and restarting the timer.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the time since queried parameter is set to a value of 0 for an initial session.

11. The method of claim 9 or 10, further comprising: starting the timer with a value set randomly for initialization.

12. The method of any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the restarting the timer further comprises: restarting the timer according to a value of a session time parameter comprised in the trigger message.

13. The method of any of claims 9 to 11, further comprising: maintaining, based on not performing network access responsive to the trigger message based on a value of the time since queried parameter being smaller than the timer, operation of the timer.

14. The method of any of claims 9 to 13, wherein the time since queried parameter is static or dynamic.

15. The method of any of claims 9 to 14, wherein the time since queried parameter is related to at least one of: a session identifier (ID); a paging ID; or a reader ID.

16. The method of any of claims 9 to 15, wherein the reader device is or is comprised in at least one of the following: a user equipment; or a network device.

17. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to: start a timer; receive, from a reader device, a trigger message including a time since queried parameter configured to indicate a threshold for a time duration since the first apparatus previously performed network access; and based on a value of the time since queried parameter being greater than or equalto the timer: perform network access responsive to the trigger message; and restart the timer.

18. An apparatus comprising: means for starting a timer; means for receiving, from a reader device, a trigger message including a time since queried parameter configured to indicate a threshold for a time duration since the first apparatus previously performed network access; and based on a value of the time since queried parameter being greater than or equal to the timer: means for performing network access responsive to the trigger message; and means for restarting the timer.

19. A second apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus at least to: cause transmission, to one or more ambient internet-of-things (AIoT) devices, of a trigger message including a time since queried parameter configured to indicate a threshold for a time duration since at least one of the one or more AIoT devices previously performed network access; and determine that at least one of the one or more AIoT devices has performed, based on a value of the time since queried parameter being greater than or equal to a timer of the at least one of the one or more AIoT devices, network access responsive to the trigger message.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the time since queried parameter is set to a value of 0 for an initial session.

21. The apparatus of claim 19 or 20, wherein the trigger message comprises a session time parameter for the one or more AIoT devices to restart the timer.

22. The apparatus of any of claims 19 to 21, wherein the time since queried parameter is static or dynamic.

23. The apparatus of any of claims 19 to 22, wherein the time since queried parameter is related to at least one of: a session identifier (ID); a paging ID; or a reader ID.

24. The apparatus of any of claims 19 to 23, wherein the apparatus is or is comprised in at least one of the following: a user equipment; or a network device.

25. A method comprising: causing transmission, to one or more ambient internet-of-things (AIoT) devices, of a trigger message including a time since queried parameter configured to indicate a threshold for a time duration since at least one of the one or more AIoT devices previously performed network access; and determining that at least one of the one or more AIoT devices has performed, based on a value of the time since queried parameter being greater than or equal to a timer of the at least one of the one or more AIoT devices, network access responsive to the trigger message.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the time since queried parameter is set to a value of 0 for an initial session.

27. The method of claim 25 or 26, wherein the trigger message comprises a session time parameter for the one or more AIoT devices to restart the timer.

28. The method of any of claims 25 to 27, wherein the time since queried parameter is static or dynamic.

29. The method of any of claims 25 to 28, wherein the time since queried parameter is related to at least one of: a session identifier (ID); a paging ID; or a reader ID.

30. The method of any of claims 25 to 29, wherein an apparatus implementing the method is or is comprised in at least one of the following: a user equipment; or a network device.

31. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to: cause transmission, to one or more ambient internet-of-things (AIoT), of a trigger message including a time since queried parameter configured to indicate a threshold for a time duration since at least one of the one or more AIoT devices previously performed network access; and determine that at least one of the one or more AIoT devices has performed, based on a value of the time since queried parameter being greater than or equal to a timer of the at least one of the one or more AIoT devices, network access responsive to the trigger message.

32. An apparatus comprising: means for causing transmission, to one or more ambient internet-of-things (AIoT) devices, of a trigger message including a time since queried parameter configured to indicate a threshold for a time duration since at least one of the one or more AIoT devices previously performed network access; and means for determining that at least one of the one or more AIoT devices has performed, based on a value of the time since queried parameter being greater than or equal to a timer of theat least one of the one or more AIoT devices, network access responsive to the trigger message.

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